Sample container
A cylindrical sample container with a mixing element addresses the challenge of achieving representative imaging results for fiber samples with rods and impurities by maintaining sample homogeneity through a 5-liter capacity and rotating blades, enhancing imaging efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2025004979
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-27
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing imaging devices struggle to produce representative results when imaging fiber samples containing rods and other impurities due to insufficient sample volume and settling of particles, requiring larger sample volumes to maintain consistency.
A cylindrical sample container with a capacity of at least 5 liters and a mixing element with rotating blades is designed to homogenize the sample, ensuring consistent imaging by preventing settling and improving miscibility.
The solution ensures efficient and representative imaging of fiber samples with rods and impurities by maintaining sample homogeneity during the imaging process.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Sample container
[0001] Domain
[0002] The object of the invention is a sample container used in a fiber sample imaging device.
[0003] Background
[0004] The principal application of the invention is a sample container used in the imaging of fiber samples. The sample container is used specifically for imaging fiber samples containing rods and other impurities.
[0005] The sample container is used in an imaging device that takes pictures of the sample. By default, the imaging device uses sample containers with a volume of approximately 0.5 liters. A small sample container is well suited for processing reasonably well-distributed samples. Often, 5 to 6 sample containers can be loaded into the imaging device, and the imaging of the sample they contain can be automated to proceed sequentially. An existing imaging device must also be used to examine samples in which the amount of rods and other impurities is significantly less than the amount of fibers.
[0006] Brief description
[0007] The objective of this invention is to find a sample container that fits directly onto an existing imaging device and enables efficient sample processing, in which imaging of fiber samples containing rods and other impurities would produce a representative result.
[0008] The invention relates to a device according to independent claim 1.
[0009] List of figures
[0010] The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments presented below, is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0011] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] illustrates an imaging device for imaging samples of fibers,
[0012] [Fig.2] Fig.2 illustrates a sample container,
[0013] [Fig. 3a], [Fig. 3b], [Fig. 3c] [Fig. 3d] Figures 3a to 3d illustrate different modes of manufacturing a mixing element,
[0014] [Fig.4a], [Fig.4b] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate different embodiments of the sample container. Description of the implementation methods
[0015] Automated imaging of fiber samples is used to identify various properties of paper pulp, synthetic fibers, textile fibers, insulating wool fibers, and plant fibers. These properties include, among others: particle size, particle size distribution, and various types of fiber damage. Automated imaging is performed on multiple fiber samples using a carousel-type sample container handling unit, in which each sample container is placed on a rotating platform and the imaging device rotates the sample to be processed to a sample imaging position, one at a time. A representative sample is required for imaging.In general, a sample of less than 0.5 liters is sufficient; however, if the subject of the imaging is a fiber sample where the amount of rods and other impurities is always significantly less than the amount of fiber, a sample volume 10 times larger is required to obtain a representative sample. This is because, for successful imaging, the sample consistency must be very low to allow for particle differentiation.
[0016] Fig. 1 shows an imaging device with a rotating platform 10 that acts as a carousel for the sample containers. The platform has small depressions for the separate sample containers. When a sample container is at the imaging position 11, a batch of samples is drawn into the imaging device and imaging is performed. Then, the batch of samples is placed back into the sample container and the platform is rotated so that the next sample container can be imaged.
[0017] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the sample container 1 of the invention. The sample container is cylindrical and completely open at the top. The sample container may also have a small lip on the upper edge, so that it is only partially open at the top. The diameter of the base 2 of the sample container corresponds to the diameter of the rotating platform 10 of the imaging device. In practice, this diameter may be in the range of 20 to 40 cm. The capacity of the sample container is at least 5 liters. In practice, however, it is less than 8 liters.
[0018] A large sample volume must be kept homogeneous to ensure that the batch of samples to be imaged is representative. To this end, one or more mixing elements 3, consisting of one or more blades 6, are attached to the base 2 of the sample container or to a pin 7 in its center. The blades may be straight, convex, concave, or, for example, rotate around the central axis of the sample container. In one embodiment, the mixing element 3 includes a fastening mechanism 9 used to attach the mixing element to the sample container or to detach it from the container.
[0019] When the sample container of the invention is placed on the rotating platform 10 of the imaging device, the sample container can be rotated about its central axis. The imaging device can collect one or more batches of samples and perform the imaging. As the sample container rotates on the platform of the imaging device, the mixing element also rotates, forcing the fiber sample to move within the sample container. This homogenizes the sample and prevents it from settling on the base of the sample container.
[0020] Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d illustrate different embodiments of the mixing element. Figure 3a shows a mixing element 3 with four blades 6. The blades are not completely straight but slightly concave. When the mixing element rotates in the concave direction of the blades, the miscibility of the sample improves. In Figure 3b, the blades 6 of the mixing element 3 rotate in the direction of the z-axis. This improves the mixing of the sample and the deposit that accumulates at the base. In Figure 3c, two mixing elements are placed one on top of the other. This allows mixing elements of different types or positions to be combined. In Figure 3d, the mixing element 3 is attached to the base 2 of the sample container 1. The blades 6 form a mixing zone that has the same width as the total width of the base of the sample container.
[0021] Figures 4a and 4b show, according to one embodiment, how the lower base 4 of the sample container 1 has at least two protruding or recessed formations 5 to adapt the sample container to a separate platform 10. In practice, the protruding formations can be, for example, circular or other projections that follow the shapes of the depressions in the platform. This allows the sample container to be held firmly on its platform. The projections are also useful when rotating the platform. In this way, the sample container rotates more reliably with the platform, and the imaging device can precisely influence how the sample container rotates. In some cases, the platform of the imaging device may have a shallow central pin for which a recessed formation must be made in the sample container.
[0022] According to one embodiment, the mixing element 3 includes a fastening mechanism 9 used to attach the mixing element to or detach it from the sample container. The fastening mechanism may be a quick-release mechanism, such as a crimped connection, a dovetail connection, a pin connection, or a magnetic connection. The fastening mechanism may also be screwed in, in which case a separate tool is required to attach and detach the mixing element. The advantage of a detachable mixing element is the possibility of replacing the mixing element if, for example, its blades are damaged or if, when the type of sample is changed, it is desired to use blades offering a different type of mixing.
Claims
Demands
1. Cylindrical sample container (1), partially or totally open at the top, having a base diameter of 20 to 40 cm and a capacity greater than 5 litres, characterized in that one or more mixing elements (3) are attached to the base (2) of the cylinder or to a pin (7) in its centre.
2. Sample container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower base (4) has at least two protruding or hollowed formations (5) to adapt the sample container to a separate platform (10).
3. Sample container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mixing element (3) consists of one or more blades (6).
4. Sample container (1) according to claim 3, in which the blades (6) of the attached mixing element (3) rotate about the z-axis.
5. Sample container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mixing element (3) has a fastening mechanism (9) used to attach the mixing element to the sample container or to detach it from the sample container.